You're here : Home

Verse: Aggression
Written by Kristopher Hewkin   
Friday, 25 July 2008

Image
Rhode Island's Verse are a band that everybody is probably familiar with as they have been one of the biggest bands in hardcore since their 2004 debut full length "Rebuild" came out on Rivalry Records. The band has been on the road consistently since then and has yet to slow down. This LP there is their 3rd effort and the follow up to 2006's "From Anger and Rage" which gained them an even wider audience.  Verse is currently on a full US tour with Have Heart and will be hit Europe for a full tour with Have Heart again on board along with Shipwreck later on this summer.

Verse's debut LP "Rebuild" is one of my favorite records of the past few years so topping that record is tough for me. That being said, after several listens, I really felt letdown by the record but it is growing on me each time through. I felt the same way about "From Anger and Rage" and that record came to be one that I really enjoy.  This record starts off with "The New Fury" which opens the album on a good note. The song is centered on an unrelenting riff that gives the song an epic sort of feel. The song is very midtempo yet powerful. The tempo is elevated on the next track "Suffering To Live, Scared of Love" with a faster part to open the song. The record as a whole has less fast parts than "From Anger and Rage" and definitely less uptempo parts than "Rebuild" and rather uses a midtempo yet powerful feel to the songs.

The three track "Story of a Free Man" which spans over six minutes is a truly interesting touch to the album. It is a three chapter story about addiction and family problems but eventually overcoming those problems in the end to become a better person. These three tracks were the content of a 7 Inch that Bridge Nine put out recently to serve as a preview for the rest of the album. The album ends with some instrumental interludes to close out after "Sons and Daughters" which utilizes the album title "Aggression" as one of the main lyrics in the song. This track is a great way to close the album and wind things up.

This album is one that should definitely be listened to with lyric sheet in hand. Verse  is a band that has lyrics that really add something to the package. The album has a lot of themes that most people can relate to and really adds a different dimension to the band's music. My two favorite tracks are "Unlearn" and "Old Guards, New Methods" but the majority of the tracks are all really solid.

If you liked Verse before then I think that you'll enjoy this record. If you're like me then it will take some time to grow on you but once you become acquainted with it and take a look at the lyrics, you can truly appreciate it. I would have to say that "Rebuild" remains my favorite Verse LP but this is a great album that I think rivals "From Anger and Rage" definitely. Verse has really adapted their sound and progressed instead of staying with a stale sound and I respect that. The only way to put out three LPs and stay relevant is to continue to change your sound and try new things and Verse has done that with all three records. This album is easily worth your time. Pick up the LP from Rivalry Records and the CD from Bridge Nine right now.

8.5/10

http://www.myspace.com/verse
http://www.rivalryrecords.com
http://www.b9store.com

Album Samples & Download Links...
 
[ Back ]